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That’s Life

Monte, The Grapefruit, Brightens Chicago Condo in Winter

Posted by Joan-Marie Moss on January 14, 2012 Condo Living, That's Life, Winter

Jan 142012

Monte, The Grapefruit, Brightens Chicago Condo in Winter

Meet Monte. My daughter planted Monte last year when working in a Chicago highrise office. She loves plants as much as I do. I suppose this passion for nature is embedded in our DNA. Anyway, one day she came across a seed while she was eating a grapefruit. She decided to plant it to see what would happen. As it turns out, grapefruit plants are excellent indoor plants. They are proof positive that you can enjoy the best of all worlds living in a Chicago condominium. You just need to open your eyes. It was her pride and joy and [Click here to see the rest of the story]

The More You Know…

Posted by Joan-Marie Moss on January 8, 2012 Seniors, That's Life

Jan 082012

Age has its benefits.Among those benefits is the freedom that comes from knowing that you have developed skills sufficiently that you don't have to stop and analyze every move you make. You know how to put together a wardrobe that suits your body type and personality. You probably know how to ride a bike and iron a shirt. You may know how to make the best ever Italian spaghetti sauce and how to use your local library and your computer. You know how to interact with other people. You know how to think for yourself. But wait… Don't get too [Click here to see the rest of the story]

Welcome 2012!

Posted by Joan-Marie Moss on January 1, 2012 Business - Not As Usual, That's Life

Jan 012012

January 1, 2012 – It's arrived! at last. Personally I'm completely and utterly happy to put 2011 to bed. It was a tough year for many. I think we make a huge mistake when we dub any year – or a day – good or bad. Time just is. What's good or bad is what we all do with that day or year. If enough of us use the time for good it is good. If we cumulatively and individually can say that we have become better and have grown in age and grace. Then it was very good indeed. [Click here to see the rest of the story]

Christmas Countdown

Posted by Joan-Marie Moss on December 22, 2011 That's Life

Dec 222011

Christmas is just 2 1/2 days away now and you probably still have lots to do. Here's hoping that you were able to find everything you were looking for when shopping this year. I'm guessing that you are pretty well finished with your preparations outside of wrapping, preparing holiday treats, and, perhaps, final decorations. These last two days have always been a time of considerable activity in my family. Usually we were busy making fudge.cotton balls, and (of course) potica, which is our family holiday bread. Usually we waited until Christmas Eve to put up and decorate the Christmas tree. [Click here to see the rest of the story]

Christmas Elves

Posted by Joan-Marie Moss on December 16, 2011 That's Life

Dec 162011

Are you a hopeless romantic? Caught up in the holiday season? If you are, you will understand that Christmas is a transformative holiday like no other. If you're not "into" the holiday – just can't get into the spirit, that's ok. Here's how to light the spark. Sometimes we get caught up in a buying frenzy. When we do, we lose the magic of the season. And, no, you don't have to be a staunch Christian focused only on the magnificent story of God becoming man and being born in a manger who was visited by three wise men from [Click here to see the rest of the story]

How Writers Stay On Task

Posted by Joan-Marie Moss on December 4, 2011 Business - Not As Usual, That's Life, Writers

Dec 042011

Writing is hard work, or so they say. Yes, I'll agree with that. The seat of your pants get all shiny from excessive wear and tear and still you often have more work than hours in the day if you're like most writers. If you've done any amount of serious writing you'll probably agree that writing is a whole lot more than just sitting at a computer and pounding out words. It's all too easy to get off track and lose momentum. Frankly, I'm not sure that most writers can explain adequately what they do.,,,especially when they try to explain [Click here to see the rest of the story]

Fall Begins to Give Way to Winter in Chicago

Posted by Joan-Marie Moss on December 3, 2011 Business - Not As Usual, Chicago, That's Life, Winter

Dec 032011

Fall Begins to Give Way to Winter in Chicago

This time of year here in Chicago, we take beauty wherever we can find it. Two days ago it was absolutely beautiful so I decided to treat myself to a rare visit to our local forest preserve. Admittedly this is a very rare treat with the cost of gas being prohibitive.It was a bright sunny day…one of the few gorgeous Midwestern late-autumn days of 2011.(That's right Winter doesn't actually arrive until December 22). I needed a reminder that Chicago-land is not all concrete and glass. In this part of the country, the weather can be somewhat fickle and you want [Click here to see the rest of the story]

Chicago: Intelligent Gardening

Posted by Joan-Marie Moss on October 30, 2011 Business - Not As Usual, Condo Living, That's Life

Oct 302011

Denver, New York and other parts of the country have already had their first brush with winter snow. We, in Chicago, on the other hand have had a pretty easy time this fall. Gardeners are not disappointed. In Chicago we've been enjoying a delightful – though all too short - fall. Trees and other seasonal plants have been resplendent in their beauty. We're enjoying some spectacular displays this year – trees in our neighborhoods and flowers like of mums and other late blooming flowers are dazzling us with all their glory – a reminder that the bitter winter ahead is [Click here to see the rest of the story]